Inspired by the site specific text and object-based work of Nathaniel Donnett, this walking meditation is designed to help you and a friend see how art can exist everywhere.
01. PICK YOUR ROUTE
Along with a friend or family member, pick a starting point where you will begin your walk. You can choose your route in advance or improvise your path along the way. Your thoughts and conversation should focus on what you observe along your walk. Be patient as you look at things and bring your focus back to your surroundings if your thoughts go astray.
02. BREATHE
To begin, walk to your starting point and stand in place. Take a full, deep breath while raising the top of your head. Then exhale and release as you feel your feet firmly planted on the ground. Take a moment to look at the path in front of you, then begin your walk.
03. OBSERVE YOUR SURROUNDINGS
As you walk, allow yourself to move at your own pace to observe what is happening around you.
When you focus your eyes on what is in front of you, what do you notice? Texture? Color?
As you focus on buildings or structures, can you imagine them as sculptures? If you pass trees or plants, follow their branches and leaves like lines in a drawing. When you look up at the sky, what shapes do you see? How do the spaces or objects you observe appear different now compared to when you first noticed them?
Share your thoughts with your family member or friend. Where do your observations intersect? What did you pay attention to that was different from them?
04. CONCLUDE
At the end of your walk, stand in place again. Take three deep breaths, then close your eyes and listen to the sounds surrounding you. Close your meditation by sharing your last thoughts with each other, including your favorite part of your walk.
About Virtual Drop-In Experiences
CAMH’s Virtual Drop-In Experiences feature instructions for pop-up activities you can do at home. Each hands-on activity provides creative opportunities to experience current exhibitions from a distance in a unique and meaningful way.
Led by our FAQ Team (Frequently Asked Questions), a group of artists and historians who assist with contextualizing CAMH’s dynamic exhibitions for diverse audiences. Virtual Drop-In Experiences are released on our website at 1PM every Saturday. All ages, always free.